U.S. And Canada Dealing With The Kia Boys!

They are willing to kill or die for a stupid TikTok challenge.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

I am an owner of a Kia Optima. It appears that vehicles from Kia and Hyundai are in high demand for car thieves. They are running a social media experiment in which a car thief attempts to infiltrate the car's computer system and drive off. It happened through of all things, TikTok.

A video was posted on TikTok on July 12, 2022 where the author uses a USB connector on a naked key slot and successfully hotwires a car. This vulnerability exists on a type of ignition switch used in many Kia/Hyundai cars sold until 2021, which are not equipped with an immobilizer system. The video was taken down on July 25.

But since it was spread through social media, every teen wants to risk their lives for a thrill.

It has become a problem for American and Canadian police.

I mean I don't fear the possibility of theft. If they take the vehicle, they will eventually get caught. I am a firearm owner and I have to be cautious over how to deal with a car thief. 

In Ohio, the Castle Rule when using a firearm mainly exist when you have theft on home property not an apartment complex. It works when you are operating a vehicle not another person's vehicle. It only applies to your business not a shoplifter who stole from a property that is not yours.

If a person or a group decides to steal my vehicle, not only is grand theft auto, but the risk of a police pursuit and threats of a deadly incident which could cause impacts on everyone.

I live in Dayton, Ohio and I heard it happened numerous times here. Just last week, I made the mistake of leaving a door unlocked and a person managed to get in and search through the vehicle and stole property but did not hotwire the vehicle. Also I noticed that in August 2022, a USB cord was located near my vehicle.

Insurance companies are considering dropping coverage to owners of these vehicles.

The Highway Loss Data Institute released insurance claims data last September that confirmed what various social media accounts had been saying: Some 2015 through 2019 Hyundai and Kia models are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of similar age, because many of them lack some of the basic auto theft prevention technology included in most other vehicles in those years, according to the HLDI.

Hyundai and Kia operate as separate companies in the United States, but Hyundai Motor Group owns a large stake in Kia and various Hyundai and Kia models share much of their engineering.

Engine immobilizers are now standard on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the companies said in separate statements. Both automakers also said they are developing security software for vehicles that were not originally equipped with an immobilizer. Kia said it has begun notifying owners of the availability of this software, which will be provided at no charge. Hyundai said its free software free update will be available next month.

Hyundai also said it is providing free steering wheel locks to some police departments around the country to give local residents who have Hyundai models that could be easily stolen. Hyundai dealers are also selling and installing security kits for the vehicles, the company said.

Columbus, Milwaukee, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta are filing lawsuits against the companies. They call it a nuisance that needed to be stopped but the company failed.

Theft impacts everyone. But what to do to prevent it.

Keep all your valuable items out of sight,

Lock your doors.

Keep your vehicle in a well lit area.

Use bright spray paint, inscribe the VIN number or a tamper shield on your catalytic converter.

Have security cameras or a motion sensor camera installed in your vehicle.

Call your local police if you notice theft of property.